Memorial for OJR stsudent killed in crash earns Roses

Roses to the Owen J. Roberts School District community for the hard work and love that went into construction of a bridge and path as a tribute memorial to OJR junior Kelsey Kramer, who was killed in a car crash a year ago. Kelsey was a member of the soccer team and is remembered by her classmates for her smile and an attitude of caring that touched everyone she met. Kelsey’s Bridge, dedicated last Sunday, was built by Jeff Wynn and Linda Condy, who live near the site of the car crash where the bridge now stands. The members of Bethel United Methodist Church, near the site, and the students of OJR worked to landscape the area and build a path so that students could visit the crash site without putting themselves in danger by walking on the road. Kelsey’s parents Bill and Lori Kramer attended the dedication, thanking all those involved. Kelsey’s life touched her community, and this bridge serves as a reminder that she will not be forgotten.

Roses to Kevin Brady, head of school for Avon Grove Charter School, who won’t step back from support of anti-bullying programs and the school’s “Mix It Up At Lunch Day.” A conservative evangelical group, the American Family Association, urged parents to keep their children away because they charged the day promoted homosexuality. Numerous e-mails were sent out condemning the lunch program. Brady defended the Mix It Up program, which has been an event at the school for many years, saying it encourages students to break apart from cliques and talk to other students for one day at lunch, where the school’s social boundaries tend to be strongest. Brady said in a letter to parents that he felt anti-Mix-It-Up e-mails as either oblivious to the seriousness of issues like bullying and harassment, “or deliberately pitched to undo the very significant gains schools like ours have made in making our learning environment as positive, accepting and tolerant as possible.”

Roses to the Pennsylvania General Assembly for passing legislation that prohibits the use of carbon monoxide to put animals down. The passage of House Bill 2630 concludes the efforts of state Sen. Andy Dinniman’s 18-month effort to rid the state of the euthanasia gas chambers and represents “a historic milestone for the humane treatment of dogs, cats and other pet,” said Dinniman of West Whiteland. The bill now goes to the Gov. Corbett for his signature, making the state one of 20 states that ban carbon monoxide gassing.

Thorns to the Pennsylvania legislators who racked up $102,000 in weekend per diem reimbursements even though the Legislature is not in session seven days. According to a report by Pa Independent, an analysis of 2011 expense reports obtained through a Right-to-Know request shows that out of more than $1.3 million in per diem expenditures, more $102,000 went toward Saturdays and Sundays. At rates set by the Internal Revenue Service, hovering around a tax-free $160 a day, per diems are available to lawmakers who live at least 50 miles from the Capitol. Around $15,000 of that went to 115 House lawmakers for a session day on June 26, 2011, the final Sunday before the fiscal year deadline when legislators are typically ironing out details before voting. Nonetheless, the expense strikes us as unnecessary. Pennsylvania’s 253 legislators are already among the highest paid in the nation, earning a base salary of more than $82,000 a year.